The University Record, July 19, 1999 Larry Karl Flanigan
Larry Karl Flanigan, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science, died May 8.
Flanigan was born in 1934 in Indianapolis, Ind. He received B.S. degrees in electrical engineering and business administration, both in 1958, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received M.S. degrees in management science (1960) and communication sciences (1962) from the U-M, as well as his Ph.D. degree in communications sciences (1965).
He joined the University as an assistant professor in the computer and communication sciences department in 1965. He was promoted to associate professor in 1973. He was department chair in 1976–90.
“His involvement with the Computing Center during the early years of computing at the University of Michigan, “ the Regents noted in adopting a memorial statement at their July meeting, “was instrumental in educating users by way of two manuals he authored, Introduction to PIL in MTS and Introduction to the Computing Center and to MTS.
“He served as the concentration adviser for computer science students with enthusiasm and dedication. His love of teaching and respect for his students earned him many accolades, including the department’s Teaching Excellence Award. There was fierce competition for the opportunity to attend both his graduate and undergraduate courses. His graduate student instructors and students enthusiastically submitted letters of praise and recommendation for this style and ability to motivate them through his own example. The combination of his knowledge in computing and his ability as a teacher led to invitations to present lectures in Israel and Chile.
“His desire for the programming curriculum at the University to be of the highest caliber was evidenced by his consistent participation in curriculum review and assessment activities.
“He was admired and appreciated in every role he fulfilled. He will be dearly missed by his colleagues, students and support staff. His positive attitude and broad smile brought warmth to the days of all those that came into contact with him.”
He is survived by his children, Kevan, Bradley, Melanie and Elizabeth; his sister, Lyn Anzai; and his grandchildren, Alyson, Brooke, Christian and Catherine.
Excerpted from the memorial statement approved by the Regents at their July meeting.
